Beware Early Signs of Oral or Pharyngeal Cancer

Posted January 25, 2018.

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The American Dental Association recommends that you have a routine dental checkup performed by a dentist like Dr. Tontra Lowe, DDS every six months. This simple, but important appointment is designed to clean your teeth, while also detecting early signs of gum disease, tooth decay, and other oral health conditions.

Every dental checkup administered at Awesome Smiles Dental Center also includes a basic screening for early signs of oral and pharyngeal cancer. Early detection and diagnosis of these two types of cancer can significantly improve treatment success rates. The University of Rochester Medical Center further notes that the 5-year relative survival rate for individuals suffering from oral or pharyngeal cancer 83%. This percentage decreases significantly if the cancer spreads to a nearby lymph node or to another part of the body.

If you are experiencing any early symptoms of oral or pharyngeal cancer between dental checkups, you should not delay in having a screening administered by Dr. Tontra Lowe, DDS.

Common symptoms include a persistent pain in your mouth, which could also be associated with swelling, or a lump in your cheek. Pharyngeal cancer might also cause a persistent sore throat, or the feeling that something is stuck in the back of your mouth.

If you live in the Haymarket, Virginia, area and you have oral or pharyngeal cancer concerns, you should call 571-261-2600 to set up a screening appointment at Awesome Smiles Dental Center.